2/2/12 Energy Conservation Action Plan Energy conservation is undertaken for a variety of reasons which includes utility cost containment and reduction of the carbon footprint. Incumbent upon all of us is the preservation of resources to perpetuate a quality life style. A holistic approach to conservation is articulated in this plan which outlines action items for an energy conservation program. This energy conservation plan is offered to discuss steps taken, work practices in place, new strategies, and energy conservation policies. At Creighton University, as is the case for most colleges and universities, it is recognized that deferred maintenance on buildings exists and as such, so does the inefficiency of operation. Advancing programs that reduce deferred maintenance will not be specifically addressed in this plan. A variety of action items to enhance energy conservation are offered in this plan to draw attention to a variety of tasks and opportunities that can be pursued. Action Item: A) Implement an Energy Conservation Policy: An energy conservation policy is needed to document the goals of the University in establishing recognition of energy savings. The energy conservation policy includes: Creating guidelines for proper management of our energy resources; (e.g. water, natural gas, and the energy products of steam, chilled water, and electricity). Controlling the waste of natural resources. Maintaining the most comfortable and safest environmental conditions in university buildings at the lowest cost. Creating an outline to be used for educating faculty, staff, students and guests of the University in the day to day practice of energy conservation. An updated but unapproved policy is attached for further discussion and consideration. Action Item: B) Energy Conservation Efforts In Place: Over the past few years Creighton has focused on energy conservation to reduce utility expense and achieve a greater sustainability program. A review of work occurring is included elsewhere in this plan. The impact of on-going conservation efforts is displayed in the following graphs ~ the significant energy conservation efforts are noted in the first two graphs that indicate a decline in the use of electricity. The reduction in electrical use is often coupled with a reduction in the demand for air conditioning because lighting systems generate heat. Page 1 of 15 KWH used per Sq Ft Shown by Month 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 1.60 1.40 1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 KWH Per Sq Ft 0.40 0.20 0.00 Months Because Creighton does not generate the majoirity of chilled water required for air conditioning, the majority of the electrical demand is lighting. Technology advancements in the lighting industry can reduce the electricity consumed. Other factors that have helped reduce electrical consumption are the use of occupancy sensors for lighting controls. The employee position previously filled to inspect campus daily to turn off lights, unused office appliances and to close windows also had an impact. The impact of the work by the employee did save energy and also conveyed an attitude among building occupants that turning off lights and equipment was a better option than getting a reminder about being caught with lights left on or being visited by someone encouraging conservation. Electricity usage has declined in the last two years even with an increase of campus building square footage – primarily the Harper Center becoming operational in the 08-09 fiscal year. Page 2 of 15 KWH per Sq Ft Annual 14 13.5 13 12.5 12 11.5 11 2007‐2008 2008‐2009 2009‐2010 2010‐2011 The next set of graphs displays steam and chilled water use. Steam consumption is measured from year to year based on the area of space heated and the number of cold days. A degree day heating (DDH) is the measure of temperature below 32 degrees. For the purposes of this graph, it is assumed that the heat in a pound of steam is the same from year to year. Even though the formula is an accepted benchmark, it does not take into account wind speed and the extreme cold that demands building systems to work harder to keep a building warmer. Steam use has a base line of building load beyond heat. Most buildings heated with steam are also provided domestic hot water from steam. The summer us of steam begins to identify the steam demand for other than heating. Taking the swimming pool off line had a measureable impact on the demand for steam. The summer demand for steam is also influenced by the need for steam to heat air supplied to a space. Chilled water is used to cool the air supplied to the room. In an effort to keep humidity lower, the air is heated after the air is chilled. The effort, known as re-heat, is frequently done with steam. Recent innovations are being tested to reduce the amount of chilled air entering the space so the space to reduce over cooling. In exchange for cooler room temperatures with less fresh air supplied, the re-heat functions are turned off. The cost to heat a room back to 78 degrees is avoided if the room is allowed to seek a lower temperature and still have dryer air. The innovation does not work in all cases and requires a vigilant watch for environmental issues if humidty rises too high for a long period of time. Page 3 of 15 Lbs Steam per Sq Ft per DDH Annaul 16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00 2007‐2008 2008‐2009 2009‐2010 2010‐2011 Air Conditioning Ton Hrs per Sq Ft per DDC Annual 0.2 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 2007‐2008 2008‐2009 2009‐2010 2010‐2011 The cost of fuel impacts the savings achieved in energy conservation. Periods of high cost of natural gas impacts budget certainty. Noted for comparison is a graph on how the utility budget is expensed over time. Page 4 of 15 $ spent per Sq Ft 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 0.45 0.40 0.35 0.30 0.25 lbs 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 Months $ spent per Sq Ft 4.00 3.50 3.00 2.50 2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 Page 5 of 15 The energy conservation efforts to date have made a difference in the amount spent on energy. The impact is felt beyond the impact of fuel costs. There isn’t a successful way of predicting how much can be saved by implementing a more aggressive energy conservation plan. Vendors and contractors are suggesting 20% savings through conservatiion. The impact of such a plan will be felt but maybe not in the first year and probably not at the 20% level. Action Item: C) Conduct An Energy Audit and Implement Strategies Identified: An energy audit will provide a comprehensive review of all campus buildings to identify areas of energy waste and to develop projects and tactics that can be accomplished with an attractive return on investment. Simple engineered systems that require little or no human involvement to operate have the longest life expectancy for energy waste reduction. Engaging a consultant to study the campus is highly recommended. Estimated cost for a consultant would be about $0.07 per square foot of building. A second and more affordable option for an energy audit is to retain a consultant that is knowledgeable in the field to act as a facilitator and utilize students in the Energy Technology major perform the audit. The students would be held to the same scope of work and would be directed to provide projects complete with a predicted return on investment. The individual retained to act as a facilitator would be a hybrid between an energy engineer and a faculty member. The energy audit will help identify the energy conservation champions in each department and building. Involvement in the audit process by building occupants is very desirable. A series of projects that help save energy have been identified as part of a study of deferred maintenance needs being accomplished. These are the kinds of projects that would be identified in an audit. Following are examples of projects that will be included in the energy audit or further studied individually if an audit is not performed. Cooling and heating need to be replaced for age of unit and energy conservation in – o Heider Hall Apartments - Cooling and heating units are very inefficient and need replacement. Coils and piping are plugged, rotted, and waste energy. There are no energy management controls to regulate the difference in temperature between the chilled water entering the system and the temperature of the water leaving the building. Facilities Management recommends replacement of the heating/cooling units, valves, and installing a more robust building managemnet system. o Law School - Fan coils need replaced. The coils and pipes are plugged and have no control valves to regulate chilled water temperature. Facilities Management recommends replacement of the fan coil units and valves and installing an up to date building management system. o Gallagher Hall - Fan coils are old, original equipment without any working control valves. Facilities Management recommends replacement of the fan coil units and valves and installing a more robust building management system. Page 6 of 15 o Deglman Hall - Fan coils are old, original equipment and the control valves do not function well. Facilities Management recommends replacement of the fan coil units and valves and installing a robust building management system.